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lo_a's review
4.0
I love the book. It shows you the characters, their life and destiny with clarity and richness without pushing you to sympathize with one. It is simply showing it as is. You can feel whatever you want to feel.
goodem9199's review
2.0
ugh. Alice, you're killing me. Once upon a time I counted Hoffman as one of my favorites. I think she's lost her mojo. This was a hot mess. By disc 9 I was still uncertain about who some of the characters were and why in the world I hadn't stopped listening by then.
catcardoso's review
3.0
*3,5-4 stars
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read this book yet I don’t know how to feel about it. Whether this is entirely a good thing or rather disappointing, I’m not so sure of. When I started this book I was absolutely blown away by the immersive and beautiful writing, the peculiar setting and interesting characters. It truly felt like magic even in the simplest lines. I genuinely thought this would be my new favourite book.
I can’t quite say I didn’t like this book, because as a matter of factly I was sucked into it right from the start. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed with how the story progressed. Perhaps because it was quite hard to read at times. Perhaps because I thought the protagonists were way more interesting separately than together. Perhaps because it was very real and raw and the cruelty of the world and the historical parts were not what I was expecting this book to be about at all. I wonder if this means the book is incredible precisely because it was so real even when it confronts you with how cruel the world can be and what it’s like to live a life that’s barely yours. It certainly made me feel things and gave me chills. It wasn’t everything I had wished it to be, but I can’t deny that this story is incredibly well written and unlike anything I’ve read before.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read this book yet I don’t know how to feel about it. Whether this is entirely a good thing or rather disappointing, I’m not so sure of. When I started this book I was absolutely blown away by the immersive and beautiful writing, the peculiar setting and interesting characters. It truly felt like magic even in the simplest lines. I genuinely thought this would be my new favourite book.
I can’t quite say I didn’t like this book, because as a matter of factly I was sucked into it right from the start. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed with how the story progressed. Perhaps because it was quite hard to read at times. Perhaps because I thought the protagonists were way more interesting separately than together. Perhaps because it was very real and raw and the cruelty of the world and the historical parts were not what I was expecting this book to be about at all. I wonder if this means the book is incredible precisely because it was so real even when it confronts you with how cruel the world can be and what it’s like to live a life that’s barely yours. It certainly made me feel things and gave me chills. It wasn’t everything I had wished it to be, but I can’t deny that this story is incredibly well written and unlike anything I’ve read before.
g_villo's review
3.0
Well… I love Alice Hoffman but this book wasn’t really it for me. Fun thing that only the epilogue letter felt how I wanted the whole book to feel:’)
jesslolsen's review
2.0
When I made it to almost the halfway point of reading this book I wanted to give up - I just wasn't engaged in the story it didn't excite me, and the characters felt a bit bland. I wish I could say that it picked up (as sometimes it has when I was struggling to read some other books) but it didn't, and I stuck with it to the end out of curiosity, but I had to force myself to do so.
I don't know how anyone can compare it to The Night Circus, it doesn't even come close, mainly because how the two main characters fell in love was barely believable. I think that's why I didn't really enjoy it, because I had such high expectations.
The actual writing was good, its just a shame the story didn't engage me.
I don't know how anyone can compare it to The Night Circus, it doesn't even come close, mainly because how the two main characters fell in love was barely believable. I think that's why I didn't really enjoy it, because I had such high expectations.
The actual writing was good, its just a shame the story didn't engage me.
codenameivy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alisonhori's review
2.0
This was an interesting book in some ways but overall I found the writing style odd and the story rather derivative. Lots in this book seemed to be based on some combo of Water for Elephants and Night Circus. I found much of it repetitive...sometimes I wondered if I had lost my place and was rereading the same chapter it was so repetitive. Strange book all the way around for me.
kimberlymichelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Enjoyed. A few parts felt distractingly unbelievable. Fortunately it was mostly very nuanced, and moving and intriguing.
dswhite's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
aranafyre's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written story. Fire and water permeates the characters and plot. I most enjoyed the depictions of the historically accurate stuff like the Triangle Fire. That was heart breaking and extremely well portrayed. The dreamland fire felt a bit too rushed at the end.
The prose was stunning through like all of her works if read. I enjoyed the characters less though they were complex and rich. The development of Eddie in particular felt slightly strained or contrived. Overall excellent story.
The prose was stunning through like all of her works if read. I enjoyed the characters less though they were complex and rich. The development of Eddie in particular felt slightly strained or contrived. Overall excellent story.